Treasure Island

ISRAEL HANDSWe were both of us capsized in a second, and both of usrolled, almost together, into the scuppers; the dead red-cap,with his arms stillspread out, tumbling stiffly after us. Sothe cox-near were we, indeed, that my head came againstswain's foot with a crack that made myteeth rattle. Blowand all, I was the first afoot again; for Hands had got involvedwith the dead body. The sudden canting of theship had made the deck no place for running on; I had tofind some new way of escape, and that upon the instant, formy foe was almost touching me. Quick as thought, I spranginto the mizzen shrouds, rattled up hand over hand, and didnot draw a breath till I was seated on the cross-trees.I had been saved by being prompt;the dirk had strucknot half a foot below me, as I pursued my upward flight;and there stood Israel Hands with his mouth open and hisface upturned to mine, a perfect statue of surprise anddisappointment.Now that I had a moment to myself, I lost no time in changingthe priming of my pistol, and then, having one ready forservice, and to make assurance doubly sure, I proceededto draw the load of the other, and rechargeit afresh fromthe beginning.My new employment struck Hands all of a heap; hebegan to see the dice going against him; and, after an obvioushesitation, he also hauled himself heavily into the shrouds,and, with the dirk in his teeth, began slowly and painfullyto mount. It cost him no end of time and groans to haulhis wounded leg behind him; and I had quietly finishedmy arrangementsbefore he was much more than a thirdG203 j